Evaluating The Economic And Environmental Return On Investment Of Modern Fish Screens
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$2,318,858.00
Summary
This project is about helping people look after fish and farms.
Most water diversions in Australia are either unscreened or use outdated ‘trash racks’. These are poor performers – providing very little protection against the entrainment of native fish and debris. As a result, millions of native fish are lost from our waterways ever year and farmers needlessly suffer debris in their irrigation systems, which can damage pumps, clog filters and block sprinklers.
Modern fish-prot ....This project is about helping people look after fish and farms.
Most water diversions in Australia are either unscreened or use outdated ‘trash racks’. These are poor performers – providing very little protection against the entrainment of native fish and debris. As a result, millions of native fish are lost from our waterways ever year and farmers needlessly suffer debris in their irrigation systems, which can damage pumps, clog filters and block sprinklers.
Modern fish-protection screens are available for use in Australia. They keep fish and debris where they belong – in the river and out of irrigation infrastructure. They have the potential to provide significant, widespread benefits for both biodiversity and businesses. Early accounts from farmers at over 20 showcase sites across the Murray-Darling Basin show that farmers are already saving time and money through reduced labour and maintenance costs. However, this evidence is largely anecdotal. There is a real need to rigorously document and communicate the environmental and economic benefits of modern screens. Being able to document these benefits will enable screening to move from an international best practice which is poorly applied in Australia, to common-practice in Australia.
The proposed project fills a critical knowledge gap in the evolution of modern fish screening in Australia, by recording and articulating the public and private value proposition of modern screens across a range of farming systems. Doing so will (1) improve farmer awareness and understanding of modern screening technology; (2) inform farmers’ decision-making, to maximise returns on investment; and, (3) guide prioritisation and integration of screening in large-scale conservation and fisheries management policy. Ultimately, this project aims to support adoption of screens where they are most beneficial to deliver benefits for rivers, fish and farms.
Objectives: 1. Evaluate the economic value proposition of modern fish screens. 2. Evaluate the environmental value proposition of modern fish screens. 3. Inform and advance the adoption of modern fish screens in Australia. Read moreRead less
Huon: Design And Testing Of Well-boat Bathing Systems Including The Development Of Full Freshwater Re-circulation Capability, And, The Safe And Reliable Use Of Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment In Both Seawater And Reusable Freshwater Baths For Atlantic Salmon
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
The present project relates principally to Programs 1 (Environment) & 2 (Industry) of the FRDC’s Strategic priority areas. Specifically the project will increase the gross value of production, profit margins, productivity and opportunity (Theme 7) for Huon, through providing the company with a means to expand operations into offshore and more exposed fish farming areas. The successful use of the well-boat also extends to Theme 1 through providing a means to prevent and manage disease incursion ....The present project relates principally to Programs 1 (Environment) & 2 (Industry) of the FRDC’s Strategic priority areas. Specifically the project will increase the gross value of production, profit margins, productivity and opportunity (Theme 7) for Huon, through providing the company with a means to expand operations into offshore and more exposed fish farming areas. The successful use of the well-boat also extends to Theme 1 through providing a means to prevent and manage disease incursions through providing a biosecure vessel for transferring fish between marine sites.
On a broad operational level the project is needed in order to: 1) Allow the company to expand offshore 2) Ensure the cost effective use of the well-boat at inshore and offshore sites 3) Provide low risk SOP’s for bathing on board the well-boat
To make the use of the well-boat cost effective Huon has to both reduce the time for bathing so that more baths can be undertaken during appropriate weather conditions, and the well boat has to be able to reuse freshwater or find a method for bathing in seawater that will greatly reduce the need to return to shore-based freshwater fill stations to re-load with freshwater as all fill stations are at least 50kms from the exposed water sites.
Objectives: 1. Design and test a water quality treatment system that allows multiple reuse of freshwater in well-boat bathing operations. 2. Adapt previous experience and experimentation of the use of Hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutant in both fresh and seawater bathing into Huon’s well-boat operations, including devising mechanisms and systems for freshwater reuse during treatment. 3. Provide detailed SOP’s for the previous objectives. Read moreRead less
Study Of The Protective Effect Of Selenium Against The Toxic Action Of Mercury Compounds In Fish
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Obtain information on selenium content & selenium:mercury ratio of Aust commercial fish. 2. Determine uptake of mercury & selenium compounds in freshwater fish. 3. Identify the chemical form of selenium. Study the protective effect of selenium.
NCCP: Assessment Of Options For Utilisation Of Virus Infected Carp
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$258,344.45
Summary
Wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) are an invasive species found throughout Australian freshwater systems. The species is well established throughout the Murray-Darling basin (MDB) and makes up to 90% of the fish biomass in some areas. There are concerns that carp are damaging the ecology of MDB waterways and competing with native species for food.
The Australian Federal government has developed the National Carp Control Plan which will assess the feasibility and potentially manage the release of Cyp ....Wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) are an invasive species found throughout Australian freshwater systems. The species is well established throughout the Murray-Darling basin (MDB) and makes up to 90% of the fish biomass in some areas. There are concerns that carp are damaging the ecology of MDB waterways and competing with native species for food.
The Australian Federal government has developed the National Carp Control Plan which will assess the feasibility and potentially manage the release of Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) as a biocontrol agent for the invasive carp. The virus is expected to reduce the carp population by between 70–95% within the first few years. Initial release at breeding sites is expected to wipe out primarily juvenile carp at first, followed by mature fish. It is anticipated bird-life will consume a large portion of the immature carp however deceased mature carp present an environmental challenge as their decomposition may impact upon water quality. The large mass of deceased carp will require a large scale clean-up and present a unique opportunity to be utilised for fish products.
Currently carp are harvested for use in fertiliser; however as estimates of the deceased biomass are in the hundreds of thousands of tonnes, other avenues for utilisation warrant further investigation. Compositional analysis, suitability of CyHV-3 infected fish for processing, pilot scale production trials and subsequent market appraisal is required to realise new product streams. Development of new products utilising the infected deceased carp will assist in the clean-up, reduce disposal costs and potentially generate income for the local economy.
Objectives: 1. To identify, pilot and undertake subsequent cost benefit analysis (CBA) for developing new processes/products from deceased feral carp (as part of National Carp Control Plan). Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Consider the potential, economics, techniques and engineering aspects of aquaculture of freshwater fish & crustaceans. 2. Prospects for aquaculture industry. Inform participants of latest techniques and developments, identify research requirements
Issues Affecting The Sustainability Of Australia's Freshwater Fisheries Resources And Identification Of Research Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$185,948.59
Summary
It is accepted that the plight of our fresh water systems necessitates urgent action. FRDC itself identified the need for this project.
It is indeed significant that the comments provided in “Australia : State of the Environment” on each of the ten key threats to sustainability confirm that indicators of all ten show continuing deterioration.
While most of this broad spectrum of issues has been the subject of at least some research our knowledge of the interrelationships betwe ....It is accepted that the plight of our fresh water systems necessitates urgent action. FRDC itself identified the need for this project.
It is indeed significant that the comments provided in “Australia : State of the Environment” on each of the ten key threats to sustainability confirm that indicators of all ten show continuing deterioration.
While most of this broad spectrum of issues has been the subject of at least some research our knowledge of the interrelationships betwen fisheries and fresh water ecosystems remains seriously inadequate. Urgent requirements include:
· a current review of the factors which influence productivity of Australia’s inland fisheries, · correlation of cause and effect for the major threats identified, · correlation of cause with the relevant management or regulatory authority, · an assessment of data and knowledge (research) needed to facilitate management action, · an assessment of areas where research is most likely to lead to significant management action, . an evaluation of what strategies have worked, or are working, in one or more State or Territory and assessment of the likelihood of success from nationalising, or at least broadening or transposing, this strategy, . an assessment of potential cooperative approaches to commissioning and funding priority research Objectives: 1. To identify the key issues facing the sustainability of Australia's freshwater fisheries resources and suggest strategies for addressing those of highest priority. Component objectives include: 2. To identify the major threats to sustainability of freshwater fisheries resources in each State and Territory. 3. To identify the probable primary causes for the most significant threats in each State and Territory. 4. To assess which threats could be approached by a national or State to State cooperative strategy for research. 5. To propose a national strategy for coordinating and funding new research relevant to ensuring the sustainability of Australia's freshwater fisheries resources Read moreRead less
Experimental Culture Of Trout In Cages In Australian Freshwaters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Evaluate the potential for cage-cultured trout under Australian conditions, both in regard to environmental criteria and the degree of suitability of locally made materials
Field Based Trials And Risk Assessment Of New Species To Enhance The Value Of Tropical And Subtropical Impoundment Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$910,505.00
Summary
This project offers a significant opportunity to enhance tropical and sub-tropical impoundment fisheries in Queensland and other parts of northern Australia, by using new iconic species to diversify the fisheries and attract new anglers to stocked waterways. Accessibility to large pelagic gamefish is not easy for many anglers. Creating access to trevally in impoundments will make such species more accessible to anglers, potentially reduce the pressure on the wild fishery, and offer a unique fres ....This project offers a significant opportunity to enhance tropical and sub-tropical impoundment fisheries in Queensland and other parts of northern Australia, by using new iconic species to diversify the fisheries and attract new anglers to stocked waterways. Accessibility to large pelagic gamefish is not easy for many anglers. Creating access to trevally in impoundments will make such species more accessible to anglers, potentially reduce the pressure on the wild fishery, and offer a unique freshwater impoundment fishing experience in a protected setting. Since trevally will not breed in impoundments, their abundance can be readily managed through stocking rates.
Access to trevally in impoundments is something that anglers want. In 2006, Queensland stocking groups voted trevally as one of the top three ranked new species for development of impoundment fisheries. Published papers indicate trevally are relatively easy to produce, with production methods like those for Barramundi. The other two highly ranked species, Jungle Perch and Mangrove Jack have proved more difficult to produce in large numbers compared to trevallies, and more than 20 years of trying to develop impoundment Mangrove Jack fisheries has achieved only limited success.
Giant and Bigeye Trevally are iconic sportfish, which if stocked, have potential to increase regional tourism. Local governments have already recognised the value of angling tourism in their regions. For example, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns Regional Councils have all developed recreational fishing strategies to boost tourist visitation. Townsville City Council is also in the process of opening the Ross River Dam to stocking to develop angling opportunities and attract additional tourists. Trevally will offer an opportunity to create sustained angling tourism to value-add to existing fisheries in the post-pandemic period.
The only way to determine if one or both trevally species can translate into successful impoundment fisheries compatible with existing Barramundi fisheries, is to conduct comprehensive stocking trials using fingerlings and sub-adult fish. The two highest risk factors identified for trevally stocking in large near coastal impoundments are their potential to impact on prey abundance (and therefore carrying capacity) and rare and threatened species. Rare and threatened species are unlikely to be in the impounded waters dominated by Barramundi, but they could exist in impoundment tributary streams. Therefore, knowledge on whether trevally will mostly remain in the impounded waters or will tend to run upstream into tributaries is critical.
This project aims to use stocking trials to evaluate potential stocking risk factors for Bigeye and Giant Trevally, such as relative survival, growth, diet, residency, impacts on prey abundance and rare and threatened species, catchability by anglers at conservative stocking rates, and angler attitudes to and perceptions of the fishery. This project will serve as a useful case study for other diversification options in northern Australia and elsewhere. Without these trials it would be impossible to progress euryhaline trevally species as new fisheries for large, near-coastal impoundments in Australia. This project directly meets the QRAC priority of field-based trials and risk assessment of new species to enhance the value of tropical and sub-tropical impoundment fisheries.
Objectives: 1. Formalise a desk top risk assessment for stocking of Bigeye Trevally and Giant Trevally in tropical and sub-tropical impoundments. 2. Produce Bigeye and Giant Trevally fingerlings for stocking trials 3. Assess the capacity for prey species in a Barramundi dominated impoundment to support conservatively stocked numbers of Bigeye Trevally and Giant Trevally 4. Assess the potential for Bigeye Trevally and Giant Trevally to enter impoundment tributary streams where they could impact on rare and threatened species. 5. Assess relative survival, growth and diets of Bigeye Trevally and Giant Trevally in a Barramundi dominated impoundment. 6. Assess angler attitudes to trevally in Barramundi impoundments 7. Assess angler catch of Bigeye and Giant trevally in an impoundment. 8. Extend trevally fingerling production techniques to hatcheries in Queensland and other parts of northern Australia. Read moreRead less